SE Texas Times

Travis Baughman, a parent from the Fort Bend Independent School District (FBISD), expressed concerns about the public school system's decline, which led him to transfer his younger children to private schools. He shared his statement with SE Texas Times on February 21.

"I have four children my oldest only went to public school and while she thrived my three younger children were transitioned to private school due to our concerns with the Texas education system, and our particular school district for which at the time my wife was working," said Baughman. "I'm a professional in banking and my wife had her masters in education and taught various grades and ultimately a college prep class at our local school district. We were very concerned about the ability for our younger kids, too succeed as our older had due to the degradation of our public school system."

School choice initiatives, such as Education Savings Accounts (ESA), can introduce competitive dynamics into the education system, motivating public schools to increase their quality of performance, according to EdChoice. By offering families alternatives to traditional public schooling, these programs encourage public schools to improve in order to retain and attract students. Research indicates that such competition often leads to positive outcomes. A study found that 25 out of 28 analyses on school choice programs observed beneficial effects on public schools, with only one showing no impact and two reporting negative effects.

According to the University of Rochester, education options can empower parents to select educational environments that best suit their children's needs, fostering a more personalized learning experience. This increased autonomy can prompt public schools to innovate and adapt, striving to meet diverse student requirements and preferences. Evidence suggests that when families exercise school choice, it not only benefits the individual student but also positively influences those who remain in public schools, as the competition compels schools to elevate their quality and effectiveness.

Governor Greg Abbott said, "Texas must rank number one for educating our kids, and school choice is a path to achieving that goal," according to Spectrum News.

In Texas, the debate over school choice has intensified with the advancement of Senate Bill 2. The bill proposes a $1 billion voucher program to provide families with $10,000 per student annually for private school tuition and related expenses, according to NBC DFW News. Abbott supports the initiative, saying it empowers parents to choose better educational options for their children. The bill has passed the Texas Senate but faces challenges in the House, where a coalition of rural Republicans and Democrats have historically opposed similar measures.

The Fort Bend Independent School District is a public school district in Texas serving over 77,000 students across Fort Bend County. It is one of the largest districts in the state.